Fodor's may use your email address to send you relevant information on site updates, account changes, and offers. For more information about your privacy and protection, please review our full Privacy Policy.

Picking up Alhambra tickets in advance

We will be in Barcelona for 6 days. Will have pre purchased Alhambra tickets thru ticketmaster. Question is In order to avoid the rush and lines and also to avoid being at the ticket machine at least an hour early, can we pick up the tickets a day or two in advance of our entry date?

Alhambra is in Granada not Barcelona as you probably know. Well, if you go during another 'open' time, you will still have to wait. The lines are not set up for purchased tickets, as we had those and it was still rather chaotic. Besides, getting up there from downtown Granada will take the same amt of time as on your day, so what is to be gained? The buses from downtown Granada up to Alhambra are crowded with long waits, look for less busy stops. Be sure and leave enough time for such, and do not toss away the ticket as it will be collected after the winding walk at entry to Nasrid Palace, not the first general gate. Our friend, an efficient recycler, tossed his out and missed the Palace which would not admit him despite our tickets stating 1,2,3,4 persons. You must be there at the time stated, not at the entrance. But it is all so worth it! That said, be sure and see the Gaudi houses, Sagrada Familia, Picasso & Miro museums in Barcelona.

Thanks Aliced and WomBatt - Sorry for my confusing initial post. After trying everyday for the past week, I finally got the last 2 tickets available for 0900 on 16 Sep. Boy, this place is really popular!!